New York, July 28 (SANA)United Nations Secretary-GeneralAntónio Guterresreiterated Tuesday that all Israeli settlements in the West Bank constitute a flagrant violation of international law and have no legal validity.In a statement carried by the UN News Centre, Guterres expressed deep concern over the Israeli occupation authorities’ recent announcement of plans to adopt a series of measures, including accelerating the legalization of settlement outposts and establishing new ones in theWest Bank.He stressed that all settlements are illegal and represent a major obstacle to achieving the two-state solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.The statement came asUnited Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)warned of an escalation in violence across the West Bank in recent days.OCHA said that since last Thursday, at least eight Palestinians, including one child, have been killed. Homes, mosques, trees and agricultural facilities have been set on fire or vandalized, with some completely destroyed, while at least 10 Palestinian families have been forcibly displaced as a result of the latest wave of violence.The UN agency added that Israeli forces have simultaneously tightened restrictions on the movement of Palestinians and their access to various areas across the West Bank, preventing thousands of people from reaching essential services, including emergency medical care, as well as their sources of livelihood.OCHA also reported that it has documented more than 1,330 incidents involving Israeli settlers since the beginning of the year, resulting in casualties, property damage or both. It further noted that 77 Palestinians, including 18 children, have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers during the current year.OCHA renewed its call for the urgent protection of civilians, strict respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and accountability for those responsible for violations. The developments come amid an accelerated expansion of Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories. On July 3, the Israeli occupation authorities approved the establishment of 13 new settlements in the central West Bank.United Nations resolutions affirm that Israeli settlements established inthe Palestinian territoriesoccupied since 1967 are illegal under international law and call for a complete halt to settlement activities.